"Claire Mercer," the officer barked, his voice vibrating with anger. "Stand up and put your hands behind your back. You are under arrest for felony child endangerment and reckless endangerment of a minor."
Claire gasped, the fake tears vanishing. "What? No! I'm a mother! I just had a baby! You can't arrest me!"
"Watch me," the officer growled. He grabbed her wrists, roughly pulling them behind her back, and the metallic click of handcuffs echoed through the living room.
Julian backed away, putting his hands up. "Hey, man, I didn't touch the kid. I was just sitting here."
A second officer stepped forward, pulling a pair of cuffs from his belt. "You were an active participant, buddy. Turn around."
As the officer grabbed Julian's arm, he asked, "What's your full name for the report?"
"Julian Vance," he muttered, glaring at me.
The officer paused, tapping his radio. "Dispatch, run a priority check on a Julian Vance. Date of birth?"